Voice of the people (letter).

The British Factor

June 09, 1994|By Martin Sweeney.

CHICAGO — I was disappointed to read the Tribune editorial, "No more excuses from the IRA" (May 26), dealing with the "troubles" in Northern Ireland. I was stunned by the omission of pro-British terrorist groups like the Ulster Defense League (UDF) from the Tribune's call for renunciation of violence. The Tribune incorrectly states that everyone but the IRA has embraced this peace "plan."

Has Ian Paisley or the UDF embraced this plan? Is the IRA the only group committing violent acts? Hardly. Over the last several years, pro-British groups have killed far more innocent people than the IRA.

I believe the omissions and inaccuracies editorialized stem from the flawed perception of the root of the "troubles." While the IRA is an easy target for blame, such blame reflects a complete lack of historical perspective, illustrated by the suggestion that this centuries-old conflict has existed for only the last 25 years!

The Tribune believes that the pro-British "majority" in Ulster should be allowed to decide the issue of unification, while completely failing to recognize how this majority has come about. Ireland used to be one country. However, looking for free land and slave labor, Britain invaded the island and forcibly removed the Irish from their land.

Fortunately, after years of struggle the Irish were able to force the British out of Ireland, except for a large group that migrated in and around Belfast. It was at that point the British gerrymandered themselves a portion of Ireland.

If the Tribune believes lasting peace can be had without dealing with the horrid history of British involvement in Ireland, it is sadly mistaken.